Rose petals, they are so dull when you seek the one that is your burden.

"I let her die," he whispers quietly to the sand of the desert.

No you didn't, she died willingly. It was her time, you had nothing to do with it.

"What burden do I carry then?" he asks again as he stabs his sword into the floor. His eyes peering into the distance of the desert. This was the very place he would always come to think. To see his best friends grave yard. His only memory.

A best friend, still a best friend?

"Bestfriends?" he narrowed his eyes. Sitting down with a huff he leaned against his sword.

Your burden is your friend.

"My friend is dead," he hung his head in his hands.

Not that friend. She is a friend who tears each night, waiting for you to return. Who cares for you like no other woman ever before. Is she that woman who you are thinking? A hint, she still lives. Aeris is not that woman.

"Who would want to care for me?" Cloud asked angrily and pounded the sand.

Didn't you make a promise to her?

He lifted his head up as his eyes widen. "Tifa?" his emotions softened.

Close your eyes and picture her, you will see what she sees.

He did as he was told and closed his eyes gently.

"Tifa don't dry," Denzel appeared in the picture.

You are the source of her pain.

"No I went away to not cause pain," he said furiously as he opened his eyes.

Well what you did is not what happened.

"How would you know?" he said softly.

Who is truly in your heart? Yourself or her picture?

His eyes softened as he thought of her, just the very image of her made him want to smile.

She perishes away slowly.

"No," he shook his head.

Who matters to you?

He shook his head, "I never meant to hurt her. I just.."

Just what? Just thought that leaving would make it easier on everyone?

He nodded. "I.."

Well you thought wrong. People die of old age or illnesses, she dies because she needs you and you are not there.

"She's never liked me in that way," he replied.

Even if she doesn't, don't you?

"I.." he thought for a moment.

When you are in battle, who do you worry most for? Who's semi dead body wanted to make you cry? Who's safety do you worry amongst all others?

"Tifa," he answered almost immediately.

Even before Aeris?

He nodded truthfully, it is true. "I do, I never chose to love her, but I do. I try so hard to run away from it, but in the end.."

It will find you and make you realize.

"I should go back to her," he said.

If that is what you think is right, then go for it.

"I will," he nodded and stood up.

Sliding his hand into the curve of the swords handle he took it and slipped it into the cover. After mounting his bike he took off.

Waiting and thinking in that one year was enough, his decision was final. In the end, what he tried so desperately to hide was resurfacing and becoming a reality. His best friend is number one friend, whom he loves and would sacrifice anything just to see her smile again. He failed once in saving a friend, he wouldn't this time.

Entering the city of Midgar was rather a change. For so long he was in the country side, quiet and peaceful drive. And now he was stuck in heavy traffic.

She hasn't got much time left.

With force he drove up the back alley, taking the short cut her vaguely remembered that led to Seventh Heaven. Passing the white chapel he saw a familiar boy, and with that he stopped and watched as the boy walked out with a sadden expression.

"Denzel," he called.

The boy's eyes lit up as he lifted his head to see if it were true. His legs ran as fast as they could to the adult, and with that he threw his arms around the older man.

"Come on," the adult said, "Lets go home."

Denzel nodded.

They took off with speed and within minutes they reached the familiar sector. Stepping off the Fenrir, he parked it at the side and walked up the steps into the bar.

"Denzel," Marlene came rushing down the stairs.

"I didn't want the customers to call for help, so instead I got them to leave, I called my dad instead," she told the younger boy quickly.

Denzel nodded.

"Denzel I-" Barret paused as he set eyes on the male stranger that stood at the door.

Marlene's eyes widen too as she set eyes on him. "You're back!" she gasped and made a run for him.

"She wants to see you," Barret finished as he eyed Denzel.

The boy nodded, and then turned to the male stranger. Taking his hand they walked up the steps and to the room. They passed the others, Yuffie, Vincent and Cid, who gave him a nod and walked down the steps.

"Just give me a minute," Denzel said and walked into the room.

"Denzel," she held her hand out to him.

He walked like a nervous child did and stood beside her.

"After you fainted," he began, looking into her eyes now, "I left Marlene in charge," he stopped and shrugged.

She nodded for him to continue.

"And I went to that white chapel filled with roses, I thought maybe if I went searching I could find him," Denzel said slowly.

"Did you?" Tifa asked with curiosity. There was still a part of her that had hope.

Denzel shook his head, "No I didn't."

"Denzel it's okay, I think I've realized that he just isn't coming home but still there will always be a part of me that will hold on to that hope," Tifa explained slowly to the child.

Denzel nodded, "I don't think hope is what we need anymore," he said and walked out quickly.

"Hope is all I have," she fought the tears. She shifted to the side to face away from the window. The sky made her depressed even more.

He entered the room silently and made his way over to the bed. Kneeling down at the edge by her hand he took it in his. Waiting for her reaction.

Tifa's eyes open almost instantly at the touch of that hand. Brown eyes locked with blue.

"Cloud," the name escaped her lips in a gasp.

"Tifa I'm sorry," he choked in his tight throat, fighting a smile on his lips as he touched her face. There was so much sadness in the air around them that made him want to cry. He now felt no shame in letting her watch him cry, Because he loved her and wanted her to know just how sorry he was for causing her pain.

"This isn't a dream right?" water leaked down her face as she asked the question softly.

Cloud shook his head, "No because in dreams you only see what you want to see, not what I want to see."

"What do we see now?" she smiled through her tears weakly.

"Me, being here with you," he said.

"I.." she said slowly.

"I'm so sorry," he touched her forehead, "I didn't know I was causing you pain." His hands were shaking as he brushed his fingertips over her skin. His warm tears leaked onto the bed sheet which together mixed with hers.

"Cloud," she touched his lips with her finger, "I don't care. Just stay with me, that's all I want."

"Tifa," he pressed his lips on her hand, "I came back, because I love you."

Her tears dried as she stared at him. A smile grew its way on her lips. "Would you lie with me here Cloud?" she asked softly.

"Would you stay with me forever?" he asked in return.

She nodded, "If you stay with me too," she smiled.

"Always." .

Who is to say what is only a story and what is truth disguised as a story?